Cardinal Collins weighs in on ‘short-sighted’ Toronto casino

The spiritual leader of 1.8-million Roman Catholics in the Greater Toronto Area has weighed in on the contentious casino debate, outlining in a letter to worshippers the ways in which a new major venue would hurt society.

Challenging the faithful to reflect more deeply on the effects of gambling, Cardinal Thomas Collins, head of the Archdiocese of Toronto, says he is aware of the “grievous suffering” experienced by addicts and their families. He calls gambling a “cruel illusion”, particularly attractive “to the most vulnerable and the most desperate” and “not wholesome” for governments to promote.

“It is sometimes argued that yet another casino could be a source of employment and would attract visitors and tourists,” Cardinal Collins notes, referencing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s favourite pro casino pitch. “That approach is short-sighted.”

Related

He raised the spectre of shattered marriages and families, warning that a new casino will have an adverse effect on the “vitality and social health of our community.”

Those who say gambling proceeds can be used to treat addiction are using “dubious logic”, he adds. “It makes more sense not to cause the problem in the first place,” he writes.

The cardinal also called on Catholic organizations to stop using gambling as a source of revenue if it is likely to be harmful.

The cardinal’s strongly worded letter comes after more than 265 religious leaders spoke out against casino expansion plans earlier this month.

Last year, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation announced plans to build a new major casino and entertainment complex in the GTA, citing downtown Toronto as its top choice. A report from the city manager suggested a facility in the core would create 7,000 construction jobs, and 10,000 permanent jobs. How much money the municipality would make from a hosting fee is still unknown. City council is set to debate the casino issue at a meeting in May, but there are strong indications that support is not there to advance the matter to the next stage.

OLG chairman Paul Godfrey is also president and CEO of Postmedia Network, parent company of the National Post.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.